Our Governing Body
The Governing Body is the strategic leader of the school. It has a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education, and focuses on three core functions:
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
If you are interested in becoming a school governor, please contact Helen Haskew Clerk to the Governors for more information: sarahinchliffe@mileoak.brighton-hove.sch.uk
The structure of the Governing Body
Although there may be some vacancies from time to time, Mile Oak's Governing Body consists of:
• 2 elected Parent Governors
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 1 elected Staff Governor
• 1 Headteacher Staff Governor
• 7 Co-opted Governors
Some work is carried out by committees, which report to the full Governing Body. Each committee is made up of a selection of governors rather than the full group. The committees include:
• The Teaching and Learning Committee
• The Business Committee
-
Rosalind Turner - Chair of Governors
I have been a governor at Mile Oak Primary since September 2017. I was a Director of Portslade Aldridge Community Academy Trust and then Chair of Governors from September 2011 until August 2018.
I was a teacher of secondary age pupils in English and Drama and have worked as Director of Children’s Services (Education and Social Care) in various local authorities. I am committed to working with everyone in the school community to ensure that all children have opportunities to enjoy and achieve their very best.
I live in Shoreham-by-Sea and organise Shoreham Wordfest, an annual autumn festival of books, drama and children’s events. I am also in a retro rock band called OldPlay.
-
Susan Wright - Chair of the T&L Committee Governor
I have been a governor at Mile Oak Primary since 2019. I am a member of the teaching and learning committee and have a special interest in ensuring the right support is available for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
I was a teacher for many years, working with children with a wide range of special needs in both mainstream education and specialist schools.
I am very pleased to be playing a part within the school to ensure all children have the best opportunities to develop to their full potential.
-
Rita Webb -Staff Governor
I am a Teaching Assistant at Mile Oak. I have worked in all the KS2 classes over the years and for the last three years I have been in Year 6. I love it. It’s hard work but so rewarding.
I am a mother to one son who is at college studying construction.
I spent 10 years in South Africa, in my younger days, teaching pre-school.
Being a school governor is full of exciting opportunities and learning and I am enjoying it immensely. I have been a governor for two years.
I am a member of the teaching and Learning Committee.
-
Allistare Smedley - Vice Chair of the T&L Committee Governor
I have been a governor at Mile Oak primary school since September 2017.
I work for Brighton and Hove City Council in the Access to Education team.
I am also a governor at another primary school in Brighton and have two primary age children.
I am a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee.
-
Jenny Leaver - Co-Opted Governor
I have been a Governor at Mile Oak primary school since September 2021.
I worked as a teacher, specialising in the Early Years, until my semi-retirement in 2010. Since then, I have worked for Brighton University as a University Tutor, supporting students on teacher training courses (BA and PGCE). Most recently I have been supporting EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status) students who work full time in nurseries and pre-school settings alongside their studies. I have three Grandsons at primary school in Hove and my Granddaughter has recently started in the Reception class at Mile Oak school.
I am looking forward to working with the school in supporting every child to reach their full potential. I am a member of the Teaching and Learning committee.
-
Scarlett Smith - Co-Opted Governor
I joined the Governing team supporting Mile Oak as a Co-opted Governor in September 21, following my daughter joining reception.
I have worked in financial services for the past 15 years performing a wide range of roles supporting the operational side of the business. My current role as Business Continuity and Crisis Manager sits in the Resilience space, ensuring the continuity of the organisation in the event of incidents, emergencies and crises. Other roles have included training and development, onboarding, budgeting, data analytics and complaints management. In my governing role I am a member of the Business Committee.
Since my daughter joined the school, I have been overwhelmed by her progress and development.
The commitment and passion from the Leadership Team and staff shines through and I am looking forward to supporting their vision for the school and its pupils.
-
Marie Doyle - Parent Governor
-
Nicola Gonzale-Swan - Parent Governor
I have been a member of the governance team since September 2021.
I have worked in pharmaceutical industry for the last 16 years, currently liaising with various health authorities and leading a number of muti-departmental projects. Primarily ensuring that all the required guidance is fulfilled by developing long term strategies.
I have a son in year 3 and a daughter in reception, I'm pleased to be a part of the governance team, providing support to the school and pupils. I am part of the business committee.
-
Christine Bartley - Chair of the Business Committee
I have 15 years’ experience as a governor of a primary school and was Chair of St Andrew’s C of E primary school in Hove for 8 years.
I am a Local Leader of Governance in Brighton and Hove. I have a background in policy development and am currently Head of Finance in an IT company.
I believe in the importance of schools working together in partnership to bring about school improvement and share best practice.
I am Chair of the Business Committee.
- Sara Hinchliffe - Clerk to Governors
-
Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2021-22
-
Declaration of Interest
-
Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2020-21
Governor
Role
Term of Office
Appointed by
Attendance Record for Meetings in 2020-21
Luke Lording
Headteacher
GovernorPermanent
Member by virtue of his office
Attended 6 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 12 out of 12 committee meetings
Sarah Jennings (Vice Chair)
Co-opted
December 2018 –
December 2022
Governing Body
Attended 2 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 4 committee meetings (resigned April 2021)
Ian Dennis
Co-opted
GovernorApril 2017 -
April 2021Governing Body
Attended 5 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 5 out of 6 committee meetings
Helen Gray
Parent
GovernorNovember 2017 - November 2021
Elected by Parents
Attended 5 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 6 committee meetings
Christine Bartley
Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body
Attended 5 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 6 out of 6 committee meetings
Allistare Smedley
Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body
Attended 6 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 5 out of 6 committee meetings
Rosalind Turner (Chair)
LA
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Local Authority
Attended 6 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings.
Rita Webb
Staff
GovernorJuly 2020 –
July 2024
Elected by
staffAttended 5 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 6 out of 6 committee meetings
Susan Wright
Eimear Nicholson-Harris
Co-opted
Co-opted
Sept 2020 – August 23
Sept 2020 – August 23
Governing Body
Governing Body
Attended 6 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 6 out of 6 committee meetings
Attended 4 out of 6 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 6 committee meetings
Governor Role Resigned Appointed by Stephen Berry Health and Safety Lead Governor July 2020 Governing Body
- Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2019-2020
Sarah Jennings (Vice Chair) Co-opted December 2018 –
December 2022
Governing Body Attended 7 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, ad 5 out of 5 committee meetings Ian Dennis (Vice Chair)
Co-opted
GovernorApril 2017 -
April 2021Governing Body
Attended 5 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 4 committee meetings
Helen Gray
Parent
GovernorNovember 2017 - November 2021
Elected by Parents
Attended 5 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 4 committee meetings
Christine Bartley
Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body
Attended 6 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 4 committee meetings
Allistare Smedley
Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body
Attended 4 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 5 committee meetings
Rosalind Turner (Chair)
LA
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Local Authority
Attended 7 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings.
Rita Webb
Staff
GovernorJuly 2020 –
July 2024
Elected by
staffAttended 6 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 5 committee meetings
-
Register of Interests
Governor Interests declared Sarah Jennings Joint owner and Director of Spark Media Communications Limited
Director and Shareholder of Celsius Productions Limited and Thegreenmarine Limited
Minority shareholder of MILKapp
Governor on Local Governing Committee at PACA
Allistare Smedley Governor at St John The Baptist Primary School
Governor at St Marks Primary School
Local authority Access to Education employee
Rosalind Turner Programme Director, Shoreham Wordfest CIO
Director, Ropetackle Arts Centre
Christine Bartley Governor at St Marks Primary School
Trustee at Bishop Otter Academy Trust
Helen Gray Parent of child at the school
Employee at University of Brighton
Husband is a Director at Brite Blinds (local blinds business)
All other governors declared that they have no relevant interests
- Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2018/2019
Governor Role Term of Office Appointed by Attendance Record for Meetings in 2018/19 Luke Lording Headteacher
GovernorPermanent Member by virtue of his office Attended 1 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 1 out of 4 committee meetings
Sarah Jennings (Chair)
Parent
Governor
July 2015 -
July 2019
Elected by parents
Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetingsIan Dennis (Vice Chair) Co-opted
GovernorApril 2017 -
April 2021Governing Body Attended 4 out of 4 Full Governing Body Meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Helen Gray Parent
GovernorNovember 2017 - November 2021 Elected by Parents Attended 1 out of 4 Full Governing Body Meetings - not a governor at time of meetings Christine Bartley Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body Attended 3 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Stephen Berry Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Allistare Smedley Co-opted
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Governing Body Attended 3 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Rosalind Turner LA
GovernorSeptember 2017 -
September 2021Local Authority Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Rita Webb Staff
GovernorMay 2016 -
May 2020Elected by
staffAttended 4 out of 4 full governing body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings Anne Bergin Co-opted
GovernorJuly 2015 -
July 2019Governing Body Attended 0 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings - due to long term illness